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Hello Everybody and Welcome! If you don't already know me, my name is Sean Edward Brown. I am doing this Kickstarter to fund my first full length record. I want to first thank all of you who have supported me over these past years, and to those of you who are just checking me out for the first time, thanks for viewing.

I would like to invite you to be a part of this. For your pledges I have created multiple incentives that will involve you to be a part of the creative process of watching me make the album from start to finish. Some incentives include access to my blog where I will be posting videos of my progress, song ideas, concepts, lyrics, etc., (where you will be able to leave feedback), going out for coffee to talk about the project, sitting in for the recording sessions (either in person, or via Skype). This incentive depends on where you live; recording could take place in one of four places: Southern Maine, Nashville, TN, Boston, MA, or upstate NY.

Some other incentives include the kickstarter ep, a prerelease digital download, copies of the CD, a guitar lesson, t-shirt, poster artwork, sketches, Skype concert, private living room show, house concert or venue concert, custom artwork, a book of lyrics and other thoughtful writings, doodles and cartoons, graphic design work including web design, and a ukulele.

If you are new to Kickstarter, heres how it works: Kickstarter is an all or nothing platform, meaning: the project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.

The Details,

This project started back in November when I went on a road trip down to Nashville Tennessee to record three songs (what you heard in the video) for a music school portfolio at a studio called The 515. After submitting them to the school I posted them online and received some positive feedback and decided I would try to do a full length album. However, making a full length record with a professional sound without the funding from a record label, is very expensive. That is why I am turning to you through Kickstarter. Since I was 13 I've been writing songs, starting with my first band Out-Grown and then Go Gondola. These past few years I have been playing and making a living mainly as a cover artist in Rhode Island, all the while working on my own material. I feel I now have a good group of songs that I would like to take to the studio to make a full length with.

The Costs...Recording an LP will be around 8,500 at the 515 studio. This money goes to studio time, musicians, the engineer, the producer, mixing, mastering, CD duplication, and the artwork. This is actually a very small budget for making a full length record (8-12 songs). My goal is to raise 4,500; half of the funding and then cover the additional 4,000 myself. If my goal is met, I will be going back to the 515 to record 10 more songs.

If I exceed my goal of 4,500 I plan on taking a different approach this time around. Having posted the 3 songs online, I caught the attention of two separate producers; David Adam Monroe of Time Bomb Studios and Sam Krassirer of The Great North Sound Society (Josh Ritter and The David Wax Museum).

Their approach to recording is much more in-depth. They want to first get to know the artist and the influences of the artist as it is all about establishing and nurturing a sound. Why did you write this song? What's it about? What do you hear? How do you want it to sound? These are all questions that might be asked during preproduction. Both these producers use the method of track by track recording, building the song from the ground up starting usually with the drums or guitar. This allows for experimentation with sounds and instruments and more freedom and creativity during mixing. Pre-production could take up to a month, to establish the songs, instrumentations, and arrangements followed by a two-week recording session.

Ideally I would like to take this approach as it provides a much more hands on approach in delving into the creative process, allowing more time for song development, and more options during mixing. However I have set my goal low so that no matter what, as long as my minimum goal is reached I will still be able to make a record as I believe either studio will provide a high quality final product and making a record is my ultimate goal for this kickstarter.

A little bit about the Nashville studio and their process: The 515 is what is known in Nashville as a demo studio, specifically designed for Nashville artists, songwriters and producers alike to bring their songs and artist's song's to be recorded to then be pitched to labels, and publishers. The process is quick! It begins with a work tape demo of your song (home recording), you sit in with the producer, talk about the structure and instrumentation of the song. He then draws up a chord chart for the musicians, a date is booked and you go in for your actual recording session. Together the musicians, writer and producer all listen to the work tape while the writer and producer walk the musicians through the chord chart, specifying what it is the writer wants the song to sound like, establishing the tempo and feel, instrumentation and sounds. The musicians then go into the live rooms and jam out to the song for a few minutes, coming up with their parts. It is then counted off and recorded. Drums, bass, electric guitar, keys, peddle steel, and acoustic guitar, as well as a scratch vocal are all tracked simultaneously. All other instruments like banjo, doboro, violin, banjo, harp, organs, synth pads, trumpets, tambourine and shakers are then over dubbed, most are overdubbed together. The song is usually done in one take, the musicians can then go back and punch in any mistakes they have made. Believe it or not this whole process takes about 90 minutes, an hour with the producer doing pre pro and then 30 minutes to track the song. A separate day is then scheduled for vocals and harmonies, then it goes to mixing, and lastly mastering. This is great for singer songwriters who don't have their own band but who are looking to record their songs with a full sound, such as I.

The Artwork

The artwork is being done by a very creative and talent young woman, Cleonique Hilsaca, an Illustrator from Tegucigalpa, Honduras who is currently studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has shown me much support in getting this kickstarter up in running since I contacted her back in October of last year. For the kickstarter she has offered her artwork for the CD to be offered as an incentives as well as her sketches.

Once again thank you so much for taking a look, I appreciate your time and support. Please pledge and support me through the process, I will be forever grateful. I hope you enjoy the ride, and the finished product.

A special thanks to Jarret Blinkhorn, over at JB Horn Films for making the kickstarter video happen, Thank you Jarret!

FAQ

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If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

Thank you very much for being a part of my dream and pledging, every dollar helps!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

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Pledge $3 or more

3 backers

Download the three songs heard in the Kickstarter video. (Recorded at the 515)

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

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Pledge $7 or more

0 backers

If you are interested in just having some of the artwork, we are offering prints of the sketches for 7$ + Three songs.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

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Pledge $10 or more

6 backers

Digital Download before the CD is released + A special thank you note sent to you from me.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $15 or more

3 backers

Video blog (follow me through the process of making an album and promoting it) + digital download before release + A special thank you note sent to you from me or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $20 or more

11 backers

Physical copy of the CD + Access to video blog + digital download before release + A special thank you note sent to you from me or a text/pic msg sent from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $25 or more

4 backers

Poster of CD artwork (signed by artist if you'd like) + CD + Access to video blog + Digital download before it is released + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

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Pledge $30 or more

4 backers

Be mentioned in the Thank you's of the CD + Poster of CD artwork (signed by artist if you'd like) + CD + Access to video blog + Digital download before it is released + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

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Pledge $35 or more

2 backers

Half hour guitar/harmonica lesson via Skype or in person (if I am in your area) + CD + Artwork + Digital Download before the CD is release + Access to video blog + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $45 or more

0 backers

Work tapes and demos of the songs on a physical CD in DIY packaging with my personal artwork + CD + Poster of CD Artwork (Signed by artist if you'd like) + Digital download + Access to video blog + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

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Pledge $50 or more

11 backers

T-Shirt + CD + Poster of CD Artwork (Signed by artist if you'd like) + Digital download + Access to video blog + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $65 or more

0 backers

Book of my writings (song lyrics, poems) and doodles + Get access to my recording blog to hear all the songs as they are demoed and tell me what you think + CD + CD Artwork + Demos/Work Tapes + Prerelease Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $75 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Original Sketches + Demos/Work tapes + T-Shirt + CD + Digital Download + Access to video blog + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $85 or more

0 backers

Special Edition CD Artwork Print + Demos/Work tapes + T-Shirt + CD + Digital Download + Access to video blog + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $95 or more

0 backers

3 Hours of graphic design work, logo, or poster or birthday card… + CD Poster Artwork + CD + Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $100 or more

2 backers

Be a part of the record! Sit in live or via Skype to listen to the band and I record the songs, track vocals and other instruments + Get access to my recording blog to hear all the songs as they are demoed and tell me what you think + CD + Special Edition CD Artwork + Demos/Work Tapes + Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jun 2012

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Pledge $100 or more

1 backer

House concert or Skype Concert/Lesson + CD

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

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Pledge $200 or more

0 backers

I will play a live acoustic show for you and your friends at your house or venue (if you live in my area) + Sit in live or via Skype to listen to the band and I record the songs, track vocals and other instruments + Get access to my recording blog to hear all the songs as they are demoed and tell me what you think + CD + Special Edition CD Artwork + T-Shirt + CD + Demos/Work Tapes + Prerelease Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $300 or more

0 backers

I will play a live acoustic show for you and your friends at your house or venue and you and your friends get a CD (Limit 25 CDs) + Sit in live or via Skype to listen to the band and I record the songs, track vocals and other instruments + Get access to my recording blog to hear all the songs as they are demoed and tell me what you think + CD + Special Edition CD Artwork + 1 T-Shirt + Demos/Work Tapes + Prerelease Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

0 backers

Album artwork for your next album + Sit in for the recording (Via webcam, or live if you live in the same city) +Book + Video Blog + CD + Special Edition CD Artwork Print + Demos/Work tapes + Sketches + T-Shirt + CD + Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road + Souvenir from the road.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2012

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Pledge $500 or more

2 backers

PERSONALIZED DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + Sit in for the recording (Via webcam, or live if you live in the same city) + Video Blog + CD + Special Edition CD Artwork Print + Book of my writings + Demos/Work tapes + Sketches + T-Shirt + CD + Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road + Souvenir from the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

You selected

Pledge $700 or more

0 backers

A 5 Page website w/ 1yr hosting + CD + T-Shirt + Special Edition CD artwork based illustration + Prerelease Digital Download + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road + Souvenir from the road.

See examples here.
www.seanedwardbrown.com/parkway-productions

Estimated delivery:Aug 2012

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Pledge $800 or more

0 backers

I will record one of your songs, or do a co-write for the CD (We must be in agreement with song) + View the recording of it live via webcam + Access to video blog + Copy of the CD + Digital prerelease download + T-Shirt + Special Edition CD Artwork + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road + Souvenir from the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

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Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers

I'll come visit you (anywhere in the continental United States) and play a acoustic show for you + Book of my writings + CD + T-Shirt + Digital download before the release date + Special Edition Poster of CD artwork (signed by the artist if you wish) + Work Tapes/Demos + Access to video tour/recording blog + watch recording live via webcam + A special thank you note sent to you from me or text/pic msg or postcard from a select destination while I'm out on the road + Souvenir from the road.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2012

Funding period

Mar 8, 2012 - Apr 22, 2012
(45 days)

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